I melted my Fremont Antique Glass
I have the privilege of living in Washington State, within driving distance of Fremont Antique Glass. I decided instead of paying $60 in shipping I would make the drive to pick up my recently purchased blem box in person.
The staff was so incredibly kind and when I went in to pick up my box, they asked if I'd been to the shop before. Which I hadn't. They told me I could go back into the hot shop and watch Jim work as he was blowing some cylinders to be made into sheet glass.
My husband and I got a tour of the shop and demonstration from some of the staff there and got the opportunity to watch Jim blow some cylinders, and chat with him about his process and some of the work I do. I mentioned to him and his lovely front desk staff (Corina) that I do some small scale lampworking with soft glass and had been interested to see how Fremont would melt down into beads. They gifted me some scrap glass and dug out a box of 103 COE with goldstone that I bought at scrap prices.
Melting Fremont glass, even scrap felt sinful. When I use it in my foiled pieces, I save every single little scrap. But the glass ended up making the most BEAUTIFUL swirls and colors in the finished beads because most of their glass isn't simply colored glass, it's clear glass encasing a colored frit or enamel. The separation of color in the sheet glass melted down to make such beautiful patterns in the beads.
Having met Jim in person and getting to watch him work and talk with him made the experience of melting the beads feel really special, it felt like a collaboration between him and I (whether he knows it or not). I feel truly honored to be able to work with handmade, one of a kind glass that is made by someone who is so dedicated to his craft and such a kind soul. Jim was amazing to meet and I feel very lucky for the opportunity so I thought some others here may appreciate hearing about the experience.
